The crowd of more than 1,000 people descended on the area in the early hours of Sunday, with the event lasting all day. Dorset police cordoned off the streets and ordered people to leave using powers under the Public Order Act, but the last party attendees did not leave until 9 p.m. The revelers were warned not to cross military firing ranges in an attempt to reach the rave, which was held near the village of East Lulworth. Officers tried to get people to leave the area with the help of the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Dorset Council and the Department of Defense. A post about the incident on Dorset Police’s Facebook page received more than 1,000 comments on Easter Sunday – mostly telling the force not to ruin the party and comparing it to politicians breaking the lockdown rules. “Well, from what I’ve heard, he’s only been there for less than 10 minutes, and it’s a business meeting,” one user commented. “Boris can do whatever he wants, so can they. Why not try to find some real criminal behavior?” Another said: “They just drink some cake for 10 minutes to polish the cheese and wine! “When the people who rule our country do not even follow the rules, how can you expect a few peaceful, happy, raver music lovers to do so.” Police are investigating criminal offenses Deputy Chief of Police Sam de Reja said police had entered the area and ordered people to leave, but the process of dispersing the crowd “took some time”. “In our operations, we must always balance enforcement activities with the security of our officers and all those involved,” he added. “Ensuring the clearance of a site without any escalation or transfer of risk to our road network is always a difficult process.” A police presence is to remain in the area and the force said it will investigate any criminal offenses with a view to prosecuting. Officers searched vehicles in and around the area and collected footage from body-worn cameras, drone footage and video from police helicopters. Anyone with any information is kindly requested to contact the police at 101 stating the incident number 1729 or calling the Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
